AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (AFDRB):
The AFDRB affords former Air Force members the opportunity to request a review of their discharge (except for a discharge or dismissal by general courts-martial) within 15 years of the date of separation. The objective of an AFDRB is to examine an applicant’s administrative discharge and to consider changing the characterization of service, the reason for discharge, and the re-enlistment eligibility code (when applicable), based on standards of propriety or equity. Discharges are deemed proper and equitable unless the applicant provides compelling evidence to prove that was not the case.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
To request to have your discharge reviewed, complete, sign, and submit a DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States, which can be accessed at: www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd0293.pdf
Applications can be submitted by mail or by email
[BY MAIL] MAIL THE COMPLETED/SIGNED DD FORM 293 TO:
SAF/MRBR (CITU)
550-C Street West, Suite 41
Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4743
[BY EMAIL] SEND THE COMPLETED/SIGNED DD FORM 293 TO:
saf.mrbr.tier1@us.af.mil
GUIDELINES FOR ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS:
Digital File Resolution: Please ensure documents are scanned at a high enough resolution to accommodate text recognition. Any pictures or images should be scanned at the highest resolution possible. Submitting unreadable information could delay your case due to the need to request legible paper copies.
Digital File Size: Our ability to accept email is limited to one gigabyte of data per email. It may be necessary for applicants to send multiple emails containing separate documents if the package exceeds the one gigabyte threshold.
Note: A scanned or facsimile copy of the application form is considered a legitimate application.
DD FORM 293 GUIDANCE:
No provisions exist to automatically upgrade a discharge. Applicants must state the specific reason(s) they feel their discharge was improper or inequitable. The AFDRB has no legal authority to grant relief based solely on compassion, changes in the applicant’s character, to improve the applicant’s employment opportunities, or make the applicant eligible for benefits (e.g., GI Bill). Applicants are encouraged to submit attachments as evidence to support the reason(s) for their request.
Applicants may request that the AFDRB review their service records only or request a personal appearance (at the applicant’s expense) before the board. If applicants are not satisfied with the board’s findings following a records-only review, a personal appearance can be requested. However, if an applicant initially elects a personal appearance and is not satisfied with the findings, a subsequent records review cannot be requested.
If an applicant’s request is not approved by the AFDRB (or it has been over 15 years since the date of separation), the only recourse for further review is to apply for relief from the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).
For more information regarding the AFDRB and the application process, please click on the “Related Documents” section on the right side of this page.